Interbuild Awards Its Industry

The UK's biggest building show is celebrating the dynamic industry it serves with the launch of the Interbuild Awards.

Recognising the construction industry's most successful projects undertaken during 2007, organisers are calling for nominations from both housing and wider commercial schemes, as well as a specialist category for builders' merchants.

'The latest show stats give a clear indication of the importance of the construction industry to the wider economy,' says newly appointed Interbuild Event Director, James Gower. 'Across this year's 44,000 visitors; 5,500 live projects were being undertaken, to a tune of £17.4 billion. This represents a £1.2 billion increase on 2006 and demonstrates the buoyant nature of the building business - which is a cause for celebration in itself.

'Interbuild is and will continue to be a showcase of the very latest innovations from the construction products and services sector. The Interbuild Awards are intended to be a celebration of the wider industry and the fantastic projects in which these products play a part.' The categories are housing and non-housing projects with values less than £50,000; £500,000 and £1M and a final category for those over £1M. Among other criteria, judges here are looking for evidence of teamwork, innovation and excellent workmanship with a strong emphasis placed on sustainability in-line with the show's Eco Product focus.

For the merchant awards, prizes will be presented for Best National, Best Specialist and Best Independent Merchant; and a final award for Best Branch. In a twist to the proceedings, entrants to the merchant categories will be selected by a process of nominations from Interbuild visitors.

'We are asking the trade end user to rate merchants in terms of service levels, product and technical knowledge as well as the breadth of product range on offer,' says James. 'Because we are calling to the trade end-user direct, these categories carry extra kudos and will be a fantastic accolade for the winning merchants.'

Each visitor to the 2007 show will be allowed one nomination per merchant or branch in each of the relevant categories. The five most popular in each of the groups will be short listed and an independent judging panel - made up of an impressive mix of industry professionals and press - will choose the overall winner based on evidence given in the written nominations.

Kick-starting a string of initiatives to support the show's fresh, new annual format, organisers EMAP Construct will announce the Interbuild Award Winners at a glitzy ceremony held at The Royal Garden Hotel, London, on Wednesday 18th March 2008.

For further information on the nominations process and judging criteria visit www.interbuildawards.com .